Fellow Brits Paul di Resta and Oliver Jarvis followed with Bruno Spengler and Mike Rockenfeller rounding out the top 10.

The sparks fly from Oli Jarvis's Audi at the bottom of Paddock Hill bend

David Coulthard completed a total of 52 laps but could only manage a time good enough for sixteenth place on his first racing visit to Brands Hatch in 20 years.

The practice session has shown some interesting results for tyre manufacturers Dunlop after the new asphalt changed the grip levels of the Kent circuit.

“The round in Great Britain promises a lot of excitement”, says Dunlop's motorsport manager Michael Bellmann. “Brands Hatch was resurfaced. The drivers first have to determine the grip level of the circuit. After Dunlop's experts have analysed the surface of the track, it is clear: the new asphalt isn't as raw as last year, but provides similar grip levels, so that all the required settings change as a result” added Bellmann.